Reversible rotary engine



N0. (3,345. Patented NOV. I, I398. H. P. WHITE.

REVERSIBLE ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application filed May 22, 1897.)

4 Sheets8heet I.

(No Model.)

Inventor.

W itnes Wfzi Attorney.

rm: ncnms Perms coy. ruorp'umalyusmmmn n c No. 6l3,345. Patented Nov. I, I898. H. P. WHITE.

REVERSIBLE ROTARY ENGINE.

(Appl c nflldMy22 1897) 4-Sheets-$heet 2.

(NoMudeL) itnesses. w,

Attorney.

' No. 6l3,345. Patented Nov. I898.

H; P. WHITE.

REVERSIBLE ROTARY ENGINE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

01 rfit-o r. /M

fill ii i'M/wa V%%W NO. 6I3,345. Patented NOV. I, I398. H. P. WHITE.

REVERSIBLE ROTARY ENGINE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

- Inventor.

Z/WA WQ/ Witnes m I Attorney- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY P. WHITE, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO BYRON A. NIXON, OF HILLSDALE, MICHIGAN.

REVERSIBLE ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,345, dated November 1, 1898. Application filed'May 22, 1897. Serial No. 637;779. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY P.WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county ofKalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reversible Rotary Engines, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide a simple, compact, and efficient rotary engine; second, to provide improved means whereby the steam is brought to act with full force upon the engine as soon as the.

valve is opened 5 third, to provide an improved double piston to increase the efficiency of the engine; fourth, to provide an efficient rotary engine which is reversible, and, fifth, to provide in a rotary engine a means of increasing the amount of piston-surface exposed for a given steam-space.

Further objects will appear'definitely in the detailed description.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end elevationof myimproved engine, showing the valve-gear and controlling mechanism. Fig. 2 isatransversedetail sectional View taken on line 22 of Fig. 1,1ooking down. Fig. 3 is a vertical detail sectional elevation taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, showing the cylinder-pistons and their relation to each other. Fig. 4 is a similar sectional elevation to that shown in Fig. 3 of a modified construction in which modified forms of pistons are utilized to distribute the force at a different point of the rotation of the piston.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents the base, which is of any suitable form and material,which carries the remaining parts of the engine.

A is the cylinder,which is of the rotary type and has heads A A secured thereto by suitable bolts, nuts, or other means. A shaft or axle B extends through the center of the main part of the cylinder and carries the rotary piston. One side of the cylinder is recessed on its interior, preferably on the lower side. A shaft 0 extends through this recessed part and carries the oscillating piston O',whi ch is supported thereon. The rotary piston B is of the eccentric type and may be a true eccentric, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, or it may have its sides slightly flattened adjacent to the point of contact with the periphery of the cylinder, as indicated by the full lines in Fig. 3, or instead of being a true eccentric the same may be constructed oval in cross section, as shown in Fig. 4, though this modification requires a slight change in the oscillating piston in order to preserve contact between the two and prevent blows and noise and annoyance in that way. The rotary piston is supported on a shaft to one side of its center, and the opposite side of the piston contacts with the interior periphery of the cylinder, so that the steampressure will be unequal on each side of the shaft and cause the piston to revolve around, carrying the shaft 13 with it. The oscillating piston O is of such length that it fills the space between the head of the cylinder, and one edge of the same is in'contact with the rotary piston O. The edge can be provided with a roller or any other antifriction means to make it run easy, though none is required.

In the recess to each side of the shaft 0 are the inlet-valves D D and the outlets or exhaust-port valves E E. The inlet-valves are controlled by the eccentrics F F on the shaft B through suitable connections F F, to be hereinafter described. Arms D, having longitudinal slots, are secured to the stems of the inlet-valves D. The eccentric-rods F are connected by suitable bolts or pins passing through the slots in these arms D. A

lever G, with a suitable notched segment J for adjusting the same, is pivoted on one head of the cylinder, preferably on a boss surrounding the shaft to control this valve mechanism. Arms G G extend to each side of the lower part of the lever and are connected by pins in longitudinal slots in the eccentricrods F F, so that tipping the lever G will therefore move the eccentric-rods F in toward the center of the valves D on one side and out on the other. When the lever is tipped to the position indicated in Fig. 1, the valve D at the left hand of the view will be actuated, while the other valve D at the right hand will not be actuated, owing to the connection being so far from the center that it does not give the motion to the valve in rotation necessary to open it. Links H are pivoted on a central arm G of the lever and connect to arms E E on the exhaust-valves E E, so that the appropriate exhaust-valve is open on the tipping of the lever G to secure the rotation of the engine and the exhaust.

A loose pinion I is placed on the shaft 0, carrying the oscillating piston, and a collar M is placed upon the end of the shaft and is secured thereto by a set-screw or other means. A coiled spring M connects the loose pinion I to the collar, so that it will be able to put stress upon the shaft 0 when the pinion is rotated. A segment-gear I is secured to the end of the lever G, particularly the end of its branch G, to mesh with the pinion I and rotate the same when the lever is set to one side or the other to put stress upon the spring M to hold the shaft 0, so that the oscillating piston C will come in contact with the rotary piston B during its operation to insure a proper operation of the same and prevent centrif u gal force throwing the same from contact with the rotary piston when not under steampressure.

An inspection of Fig. 3 will show that the piston B is always in contact with the piston C during its operation, so that the parts do not separate and come together to cause a jar or blow that will produce any noise. This is true when the sides of the piston are eccentric or when they are flattened to the extent indicatedin Fig. 3. However, when the sides of the piston are further flattened, as distinctly appears in Fig. 4, it is necessary to make the recesses in the side of the cylinder for the oscillating pistons deeper and to curve the parts of the oscillating piston still more, as clearly appears in said Fig. 4, to preserve contact through the entire revolution of the rotating piston. This is an absolute necessity in a rotary engine, for if it is not provided for the blow, even though light, is so often repeated that the engine will be soon injured and destroyed.

By referring to Fig. 3 the explanation of the operation of my improved engine will clearly indicate the objects of the construction. In the operation of my improved engine as here shown steam is admit-ted through the right-hand valve D and, it will be observed, acts upon that side of the oscillating piston O, forcing it against the sloping or oblique side of the rotating piston B, forcing the same forward by a powerful wedging motion, and so soon as the piston B rotates to any considerable extent a considerable portion of it is exposed to the direct action of the steam, which of course adds its force to the rotation, and as it continues the rotating piston presents a larger surface to the action of the steam, which increases its power as the power of the oscillating piston is decreased by its approach to the center of rotation of the rotating cylinder, thus tending to equalize the distribution of force over the entire revolution. At a proper point the valve D closes by means of the eccentric F or any other suitable means provided, and the expansion of the steam is allowed to act until it passes to the exhaust E, where it passes out through pipe K on the opposite side. As the piston B continues the rotation it passes with its point of contact onto the oscillating piston C again and continues to rotate and actuate the same to throw it back into its recess and initial position, as appears in Fig. 3, when the revolution is again repeated by the opening of the inlet-valve D at the right. \Vhen it is desired to reverse the motion of the engine, the lever G is set over to the other side, and the engine will rotate in the opposite direction. The lever G and its connections are such that when the lever stands vertical, or at the center, the valves will not be opened and the engine will stop. The engine will be controlled by this lever, as the position of the lever each side of the center controls the inlet-valves by controlling the eccentric connection. It is possible and may be desirable at times to use this lever to stop and start the engine and reverse it in connection with any suitable governor.

It will be observed that during the operation of this engine a very large piston-surface is exposed to the action of the steam-chambers of the engine, the piston-surface nearly equaling the remaining surface of the chamber.

In the structure appearing in Fig. 3 a perfect eccentric rotating piston may be employed or the eccentric piston may have its sides slightly flattened, as is shown by the full lines in the figure, each side of its point of external contact. The sides of the piston may be still further flattened, as appears in Fig. 4; but the oscillating piston C will have to be varied in its form to contact with the outer edge of the piston B at all times to prevent pounding or jarring. There the contact is perfect, the engine runs very smoothly and also very powerfully. The flattening of the sides of the rotary piston to the extent indicated in Fig. 4 allows the action of the oscillating piston strongest at the beginning of its stroke, which is desirable in some forms of engines, while in other forms it maybe desirable to bring the power of the oscillating piston farther along in the rotation, depending much on what is desired to be accomplished by the engine.

\Vhen this invention is utilized in reversible engines, a series of the cylinders should be employed taking steam at different positions to secure action of steam, and is not at all times, therefore, illustrated. This would be a mere duplication.

Having thus described my improved rotary engine, I desire to state that it can be considerably varied in its details without departing from my invention. The form of the rotary piston can be greatly varied in its details, as appears from the modifications illustrated, and I also desire to state that all that is required of this piston is that it be supported at one side of the center, so that only one edge of it may come in contact with the inner periphery of the steam-cylinder, and the oscillating piston should be supported outside of this inner periphery of the steamcylinder and have its inner edge or surface conformed to the rotating piston. The inletvalve should be located to admit the steam back of the oscillating piston, and'exhaustvalve should be located to permit the escape of the steam before the back action of the oscillating piston to equalize the force of the steam. This engine is adapted for both the rotary engine revolving in one direction or for a rotary engine capable of reversing its motion. I show in an application concurrent herewith the structure best adapted for the rotary engine revolving in but one direction, which possesses considerable advantage and shows the structure specially adapted to that end where the specific structure will be claimed. While the connections here shown for reversing the engine are preferred by me, I am aware that a great variety of devices could be utilized for the purpose. The link connection on the ordinary locomotive could be adapted to this end, and for that matter the valve could be actuated by any suitable means entirely separate. Any suitable governor could be used with this engine when it is necessary to use a governor at all. This structure of engine is Well adapted to compound steam engines, as in a properly-arranged compound engine no back action of the steam or back pressure is necessary to be overcome.

I also desire to state that in larger-sized engines the shaft carrying the rotary piston will of course be considerably extended and will be supported on bearings independent of the cylinder-heads, so that all that will be required in the cylinder-heads is an efficient packing. As this feature is no part of my invention, I do not deem it necessary to illustrate the same, but merely mention it as a matter of machine-shop practice in the production of large-sized engines.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a reversible rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder A, with a recess at one side connecting therewith; heads A, A, for. the said cylinders each containing suitable bearings for the shafts of the engine; a shaft B, extending through the center of the main part of said cylinder and supported in suitable bearings in the heads; a rotating piston B, of the eccentric type carried on said shaft B, and contacting at one side with the inner periphery of the main part of the cylinder; a shaft 0, extending through the recess of said cylinder outside the circumference .of the main cylinder and supported in suitable bearings in the heads; an oscillating piston 0, supported at its middle on said shaft 0, filling the space between the heads of said cylinder and adapted to withdraw within the recess at either side the center, the inner forward edges or surfaces thereof being adapted to fit against the rotary piston steam-tight; an inlet-valve D, opening into the recess back of the oscillating piston at each side; suitable eccentric connections for controlling said valves; corresponding outlet-valves to the opposite sides of said piston; a spring connected to put torsion upon the shaft to hold the forward edge of the oscillating piston O, in contact with the rotary piston, a lever G, suitably connected to reverse the said valves to reverse the engine all coacting together substantially as described for the purpose specified.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder A, with a recess at one side connecting therewith; heads A, A, for the said cylinders each containing suitable bearings for the shafts of the engine; a shaft B, extending through the main part of said cylinder and supported in suitable hearings in the heads; a rotating piston B, of the eccentric type carried on said shaft B, and contacting at one side with the inner periphery of the main part of the cylinder; a shaft (J, extending through the recess of said cylinder outside the circumference of the main cylinder and supported in suitable hearings in the heads; an oscillating piston C, on said shaft 0, filling the space between the heads of said cylinder and adapted to withdraw Within the recess, the inner edges or surfaces thereof being adapted to fit against the rotary piston steam-tight; an inlet-valve D, opening into the recess back of the oscillating piston; suitable eccentric connections for controlling said valve; corresponding outlet-valves to the op.- posite side of said piston; a spring connected to put torsion upon the shaft C, to hold the forward edge of the oscillatingpiston C, in contact with the rotary piston all coacting together substantially as described for the purpose specified.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder having a main circular portion with a recess to one side; suitable heads for the cylinder containing apertures for the shafts of the engine; a rotary piston of the eccen tric type supported on a shaft at the center of the circular portion of the cylinder, an os-. cillating piston supported on a shaft located outside of the circumference of the main portion and of sufficient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston andadapted to move back into the recess to ICC permit the passage of the rotary piston; an inlet port or valve leading to the recess back of the oscillating piston and an outlet-port to the opposite side, all coacting together as specified.

4. In a rotary engine the combination of a cylinder having a main circular portion with a recess to one side; a rotary piston of the eccentric type pivoted to rotate at the center of the circular portion of the cylinder; an oscillating piston pivoted at a point outside the circumference of the main circular portion of the cylinder and of sufficient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston with its inner surface or edge adapted to contact with the rotary piston; an inlet port or valve leading to the recess back of the oscillating piston; and an outlet-port to the opposite side of the pistons, coacting together as specified.

5. In a rotary engine the combination of a cylinder having a main circular portion with a recess to one side; a rotary piston of the eccentric type pivoted to rotate at the center of the circular portion of the cylinder; an oscillating piston pivoted at a point outside the circumference of the main circular portion of the cylinder and of sufiicient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston, with its inner surface or edge adapted to contact with the rotary piston and combined to expose as a movable piston-surface the entire inner surface of the engine steam chamber or cylinder; an inlet port or valve leading to the recess back of the oscillating piston; and an outlet-port to the opposite side of the pistons, coacting together as specified.

6. In a rotary engine the combination of a suitable cylinder; a rotary piston of the eccentric type pivoted to revolve Within the same; an oscillatingpiston of sufficientlength to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston to coact with said rotary piston and deliver its force thereto; and suitable inlet and outlet ports or valves for the purpose specified.

7. In a rotary engine the combination of a cylinder having a main circular portion with a recess to one side; arotary piston of the eccentric type pivoted to rotate at the center of the circular portion of the cylinder; an oscillating piston pivoted at its center outside the circumference of the main portion of the cylinder and of sufficient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston with its inner and forward surface oredge adapted to contact with the rotary piston; an inlet port or valve to each side of the central pivot of the oscillating piston and an outletport to each side; suitable means of controlling the valve to reverse the engine; coactin g as specified.

S. In a rotary engine, the combination of a suitable cylinder; a rotary piston of the eccentric type pivoted to revolve within the same; an oscillating piston or pistons with portions extending in opposite directions and of sufficient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston pivoted to coact with said rotary piston to deliver its force thereto; and inlet-valves to reverse the position of the oscillating piston or pistons; outlet-ports at the opposite sides and means of controlling said valves to reverse the engine for the purpose specified.

9. In a rotary engine, the combination of a suitable cylinder; a rotary piston pivoted to revolve within the same; an oscillating piston of sufficient length to reach beyond the center of rotation of said rotary piston pivoted to coact with said rotary piston and deliver its force thereto; and suitable inlet and outlet ports or valves for the purpose specified.

10. In a steam-engine the combination of a suitable steam-cylinder of the rotary type having a recess at one side; suitable heads for said cylinder; a rotary piston of the eccentric type supported Within said cylinder; an oscillating piston pivoted within the recess of said cylinder and of sufficient length to extend beyond the center of rotation of the rotary cylinder and adapted to contact therewith; means of admitting steam back of said oscillating piston; and a suitable exhaust for the purpose specified.

11. In a steam-engine the combination of a suitable steam-cylinder; a rotary piston of the eccentric type therein; an oscillating piston pivoted one side of the rotary piston with its outer edge adapted to contact with the rotary piston in a line beyond its center of rotation.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY P. WHITE. [L. s]

IVitnesses:

VENE E. CHAPPELL, CORA W. FULFORD. 

